Exclusive: Hackett reacts to Yan Dhanda’s Hearts red card controversy at Kilmarnock
Keith Hackett has reacted to the controversy surrounding the red card shown to Hearts midfielder Yan Dhanda in his side’s win at Kilmarnock.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the decision to send off the 26-year-old was the correct one.
Despite a difficult campaign amid runs of poor form, a turnover in managers and the uncertainty around the future of Lawrence Shankland at Hearts, the club did manage to end the season on a positive note.
A 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday (18 May) has given incoming manager Derek McInnes some cause for optimism, especially after playing much of the game with ten men.
Yan Dhanda sees red
Shortly after the midway point in the first half, Dhanda collided with opposition defender Stuart Findlay, leaving both on the floor in some pain following that clash.
Initially, referee Dan McFarlane awarded the free kick in favour of the Hearts man, before an on-field review for a potential red card was recommended.
At that point, replays showed that Dhanda studs had caught Findlay high up on his leg, at which point the official reversed his decision in order to send the midfielder off.
That was despite suggestions that the reason he had caught the Kilmarnock man, was that his own foot had been kicked into the defender.
There has consequently been some considerable debate around the decision, although Hackett believes the correct one was reached.
Keith Hackett backs officials over Hearts red card
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the decision to send Dhanda off, the former referee said:
“It’s a definite red card, and I’ll tell you why it’s a red card, because yes he does get a tap and that might put him off balance.
“But what he’s then done is gone into his opponent with an absolute straight leg, shin high. Therefore it’s serious foul play.
| Yan Dhanda vs Kilmarnock | Total (SofaScore) |
| Shots | 0 |
| Accurates Passes | 17/19 |
| Duels Won | 1/3 |
| Tackles | 0 |
| Fouls | 1 |
“He’s just got a tap but he’s gone in with a boot high, and I think that was avoidable. I think fact that he’s straightened his leg has got him into problems here.
“A straight leg in football is not a natural position, unless you’re doing a sliding tackle. I’ve watched this two or three times, I’m absolutely certain this is a red card, it’s serious foul play, no question.
“He was impacted upon, he might appeal it, I doubt whether they will actually rescind the card because of the leg position.”